Living in Waterford, CT
Waterford is a New London County town of 32.87 square miles on Long Island Sound, with Waterford Beach Park, Harkness Memorial State Park and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.
Waterford at a glance
- Median sale price
- $421,000+5.1% vs last year 247 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 24.54 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$7,200 median-priced home
- Population
- 19,910 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 32.9 sq mi 606 per sq mi
What it is like in Waterford
Waterford covers 32.87 square miles in New London County and had 19,910 residents in the facts file. It borders New London, East Lyme, Groton, Montville and Ledyard, and has Long Island Sound shoreline.
Town Hall is at 15 Rope Ferry Road, and the Waterford Community Center is at 24 Rope Ferry Road. Boston Post Road runs through town and holds many of its shops and restaurants.
Waterford Beach Park is at 305 Great Neck Road, and Harkness Memorial State Park has gardens, a beach and the 42-room Eolia Mansion. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, founded in 1964, develops new American theater works and operates Monte Cristo Cottage, Eugene O'Neill's childhood summer home and a National Historic Landmark.
Waterford Beach Park has a nearly quarter-mile sandy beach with a tidal marsh and views of Long Island Sound. Dogs are not allowed from June through September. Harkness Memorial State Park has no swimming, but its beach, gardens and picnic areas are open, and Eolia Mansion tours run on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Other town and state places include Seaside State Park, Kiddie's Beach, War Memorial Park, Leary Park, Cohanzie Park, Lisa Dedrick Memorial Park and the Niantic River Boat Launch. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center holds conferences from June through August. Cafe NV on Boston Post Road and When Pigs Fly Cafe on Rope Ferry Road are among the places to eat.
Getting around from Waterford
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 65 min | 46 |
| New Haven | 57 min | 45 |
| Stamford | 112 min | 84 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 166 min | 120 |
| Boston | 141 min | 115 |
| Providence | 77 min | 60 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 86 min | 60 |
Rail stations nearby
- New London 2.8 mi Amtrak
Highways and routes
From the facts file, New London is the nearest rail stop, 2.8 miles straight line, with Amtrak service. By road, Providence is 60 miles (77 minutes), New Haven 45 miles (57 minutes), Hartford 46 miles (65 minutes) and Boston 115 miles (141 minutes).
Midtown Manhattan is 120 miles (166 minutes) and Bradley Airport 60 miles (86 minutes) away.
Schools in Waterford
6 public schools in Waterford School District and Learn. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 4
- Great Neck
- Oswegatchie
- Quaker Hill
- The Friendship
Middle 1
- Clark Lane
High school 1
- Waterford High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Waterford School District and Learn on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Waterford
Open Waterford in Google Maps →Eat and drink 5
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Bakery and market on Boston Post Road serving coffee, baked goods and Mediterranean food.
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Ice cream shop with hard ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ice, soft serve and shakes, with indoor and patio seating.
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Restaurant and bar in the Utopia Centre serving regional American and Italian-style dishes, with live music on some dates.
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Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with online ordering.
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Cafe on Rope Ferry Road with a menu that includes pasta and seafood dishes.
Things to do and see 2
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Theater center founded in 1964 that runs summer conferences for new plays, music theater and puppetry, and also operates Monte Cristo Cottage.
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Oval racetrack hosting stock car and modified racing events through the spring-to-fall season.
Parks, preserves and trails 45
Show 31 more parks and conservation parcels
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Waterford housing market
Over the last 12 months, 247 homes sold in Waterford with a median sale price of $421,000 and a median of 10 days on market. There are 45 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $283 per square foot. The typical home sold for 100% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 5.1% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 2.2 months.
Waterford's town-wide property tax rate is 24.54 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $7,200 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Waterford
See all 45 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Waterford.
Questions about Waterford
What is the median home price in Waterford, CT?
The median sale price in Waterford is $421,000, based on 247 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Waterford, CT?
Waterford's town-wide property tax rate is 24.54 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $7,200 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Waterford, CT from Hartford?
Waterford is about 46 miles and a 65-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Waterford, CT from New York City?
Waterford is about 120 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 166-minute drive without traffic.
Is there a train station in Waterford, CT?
The closest passenger rail station we have on record is New London (Amtrak) about 2.8 miles from the center of Waterford. Check the operator's schedule for current service.
What is the population of Waterford, CT?
Waterford has about 19,910 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 32.9 square miles.
How many public schools are in Waterford, CT?
Waterford has 6 public schools in Waterford School District and Learn. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Waterford, CT?
There are 45 homes for sale in Waterford right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in Waterford?
No. The nearest is New London, 2.8 miles straight line, with Amtrak service.
Can I swim at Waterford Beach Park?
The park has a sandy beach on Long Island Sound at 305 Great Neck Road. Non-residents could buy daily passes at the gate according to the town page, which should be confirmed with the town. Harkness Memorial State Park does not allow swimming.
What is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center?
A theater center founded in 1964 that develops new American theater works and runs the National Playwrights Conference, with summer programs from June through August.
How far is Waterford from Providence and New Haven?
Providence is 60 miles (77 minutes) and New Haven is 45 miles (57 minutes) by road.
Which towns border Waterford?
New London, East Lyme, Groton, Montville and Ledyard.
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